Liquid dispensing, disposable container for use with a beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispensing system including a can open at the bottom and having a cover closing the bottom and made of a flexible material. A nipple connected to the cover extends downwardly from it and is normally closed and remains closed under the head of the liquid in the container. The nipple opens when the pressure in the container exceeds the external pressure at the nipple. A rigid back up plate lies behind the cover and has a sleeve which supports the nipple. The can may typically contain chocolate syrup and be used in a counter-top dispenser for hot chocolate.

[ 1 Apr. 29, 1975 United States Patent 1 1 Gardner, Jr. et al.

7/1944 Richmond.....l.................. 6/1966 Taylor......

1/1968 Gordon.........,..... 8/1973 Baucrlein ct 2/1974 Gardner ct MerleS. Brown, Cohasset, both of Mass.

Primary ExuminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-lames M. Slattery[73] Assignee: Jet Spray Cooler, lnc., Walthum Mass.

Atmrne A or Firm-Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks gent.

[22] Filed: Apr. I2, I973 [21] Appl. No.: 350,512

ABSTRACT Related Us. Application Data A liquid dispensing systemincluding a can open at the bottom and having a cover closing the bottomand made of a flexible material A nipple connected to the [63]Continuation of Ser. No. 36.863, May 13. I970.

abandoned.

cover extends downwardly from it and is normally closed and remainsclosed under the head of the liquid in the container. The nipple openswhen the pressure in the container exceeds the external pressure at thenipple. A rigid back up plate lies behind the cover and has a sleevewhich supports the nipple. The can may 494 typically contain chocolatesyrup and be used in a counter-top dispenser for hot chocolate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 14 Claims, 3 Drawing FiguresPMENTEDAPRZQISYS SHEET 10F 2 w w m FIG.

PMEMED APR 2 91975 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG. 3

LIQUID DISPENSING, DISPOSABLE CONTAINER FOR USE WITH A BEVERAGEDISPENSER RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 36,863, filed May 13, 1970 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to liquid dispensingsystems and beverage dispensers and more particularly comprises animprovement over the system shown in our copending application Ser. No.887,67l filed Dec. 23, 1969 entitled HOT LIQUID DISPENSER. In thefollowing description the invention is described particularly as it maybe used in a hot chocolate dispenser but it is to be understood that theinvention has other applications.

Many hot chocolate dispensers store liquid chocolate concentrate in ahopper (or bowl), conveniently located on the dispenser for easy accessand refilling. In those dispensers which utilize a hopper. the hoppermust have a lid to protect the contents from contamination, and it mustbe easily removable to facilitate replenishment of the syrup supply.Those dispensers which utilize gravity feed for the chocolate mustprovide unrestricted flow so that the chocolate and hot water may beaccurately metered so as to render uniform product. In many suchdevices, means have been incorporated to assist the flow so as topreserve accuracy. These means have taken the form of progressive cavityscrews and plungers. In hot chocolate dispensers of this type, it hasalso been common practice to employ electric heaters around the hopperto reduce the viscosity of the syrup so that it can more freely flow inthe system.

The best of the hopper-type dispensers are incapable of providingmaximum protection for the syrup, and a skin forms due to theevaporation of the volatile components of the syrup and results in adegradation of the syrup quality.

Many of the better syrup concentrates contain dairy products to improvetheir flavor and texture, and these concentrates are susceptible ofspoilage when stored without refrigeration when the concentrates areexposed to the air. The spoilage of course is a function of time andtemperature. Consequently during periods of slow use it is common tolose a substantial amount of syrup due to spoilage. And universallyusers of beverage dispensers in which the syrup is stored in a hoppersuffer the spoilage rather than spend the necessary time to withdraw thesyrup from the hopper so as to refrigerate it.

In our copending application, supra, a beverage dispenser is shown whichutilizes the syrup can as a disposable hopper. A removable cover isattached to the can and a dip tube extends into the can through thecover to withdraw the syrup. While the dispenser shown thereinconstitutes a substantial advantage over the various arrangementsdescribed above, the system in accordance with the present inventionprovides several additional advantages, which will become clear from thefollowing detailed description.

One object of this invention is to provide a liquid dispensing systemwhich provides a sealed container for I the liquid and which allows theliquid to be withdrawn from the container readily on demand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid dispensingsystem which provides a sealed container for the liquid, which affordseasy withdrawal of the liquid from the container, and does not allow anyof the container contents to drip from it after intentional withdrawalhas stopped.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a syrup storagesystem for beverage dispensers, which may readily be removed forrefrigeration.

To accomplish these and other objects, the beverage dispenser of thisinvention includes a can of flavor syrup closed by a flexible lid whichcovers one end thereof. A nipple that serves as a check extends from thelid and is normally closed with the can in an inverted position, evenunder the head of the liquid in the can. It opens only when adifferential pressure is applied between the exterior of the nipple andthe can interior. A rigid backup plate is contained within the lid andhas a sleeve which supports the nipple. A fitting is provided on theplatform which supports the can, which receives the nipple to form acoupling between the can and the syrup feeding system in the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view partly insection of a beverage dispenser constructed in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a detail of the dispensershown in FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view suggesting an alternativearrangement to that of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The beverage dispensershown in the drawing is closely allied to the dispenser shown in ourcopending application, supra. Like the dispenser shown in thatapplication, the dispenser of the present invention includes a housing10 that contains a syrup delivery circuit 12 as well as a water deliverycircuit (not shown) and an electrical control circuit (not shown). Thewater delivery circuit and the electrical control circuit may beidentical to that in our copending application and are incorporated byreference. The housing I0 has a drip tray 18 attached to the bottom ofits front wall and a mixing assembly 20 mounted above the tray. Theassembly 20 is shown and described in detail in copending applicationSer. No. 682,343 filed Nov. 13, I967 entitled Hot Beverage Dispenser.Included as part of the syrup circuit and water circuit is a reservecylinder and water control assembly 22 attached on the inside of thehousing 10 to the front panel 24. The syrup circuit 12 is shown in FIG.1 isolated both from the electrical circuit and the water circuit forclarity.

In FIG. 1 syrup can 30 is shown supported on shelf 32 forming part ofthe housing 10. A hood (not shown) which forms part of the housing andis shown in our copending application, supra, ordinarily covers the can30 so as to hide it from view when the dispenser is in its normaloperating condition.

In FIG. I, the can 30 is shown connected by means of duct 34 to cylinder36 of positive displacement pump 38 forming part of the syrup circuit.The means by which the duct 34 is connected to the can 30 comprises animportant aspect of this invention and is described in substantialdetail below particularly with reference to FIG. 2.

The positive displacement pump 38 includes a piston 40 moveable in thecylinder 36 and carried on the end of piston rod 42 which in turn isoperated by crank 44 connected to the rotating cam 46 driven by the cammotor 48. As the cam rotates, the crank 44 moves the piston 40 up anddown in the cylinder during each revolution. The pump 38 is shown in thedrawing to be mounted on partition 50 in the housing 10.

The outlet duct 52 of the pump 38 is connected to the reserve cylinderand water control assembly 22, whose syrup outlet duct 53 in turnextends out of the housing to the mixing chamber 20. The duct 53 carriesa check valve 54 at its discharge end to prevent air or other matterfrom entering the duct 53 and fouling or contaminating the syrup circuitas well as for cutting off flow at the end of the pump cycle toeliminate afterdrip.

The syrup circuit described above is substantially identical to thatshown in our copcnding application supra. The can and facility forcoupling the can to the duct 34 is markably different from that shown inour copending application, and the differences are described in detailbelow.

In Fl(]. 2, the can 30 is shown to have an open bottom end 60. The canmay be opened by a common electric or manual knurled wheel drive canopener or any other convenient tool. The open end 60 of the can iscovered by a lid 62 having a closure wall 64 and an upwardly extendingperipheral skirt 66 which lies about the outer surface of the lower endof the cylindrical wall of the can. A pair of tabs 68 extend fromopposite sides of the top edge of the skirt 66 to facilitate removal andinstallation of the lid 62.

A dispensing nipple 70 in the form of a duck bill check is formed at thecenter of the closure wall 64. The nipple 70 has a generally cylindricalbody 72 which terminates in converging walls 74 and a downwardlyextending central flap 76. The flap 76 is cut as shown at 78, but nomaterial is removed so that no stresses are applied to the nipple andthe flap sides are engaged to close the cup or slit and prevent flowthrough the nipple.

A second nipple 80 in the form of a duck bill check extends upwardlyfrom the closure wall 64 of the Eid adjacent its periphery and has acylindrical wall 82, converging wall 84 and flap 86 with a slit 88, thatmay be identical to the corresponding parts of the nipple 70.

A backup plate 90 lies within the closure wall 64 of the lid 62 and hasan opening 92 through which the nipple 80 extends into the interior ofthe can 30. The periphery 94 of the backup plate 90 rests on the bead 61of the can 30 to provide stiffness for the lid 62 and perform otherfunctions which are described in greater detail below. The backup plate90 also carries as an inte' gral part thereof a cylindrical sleeve 96which fits within the nipple 70 and supports it in the position shown.The sleeve 96 has a bead 98 on its outer surface, which stretches thenipple 70 and forms a corresponding bead 100 on the nipple wall 72 forreasons which will also become apparent below.

A check housing 102 is mounted on the platform 32 of the dispenserhousing 10, and its lower end 104 of reduced diameter is connected tothe end of the duct 34 which carries the syrup from the can 30 to thepump 38. The check housing 102 is sized to receive the nipple 70 whensupported on the sleeve 96, and a circular seat 106 is provided on theinner surface of the housing 102 so as to receive the bead 100 formed inthe nipple by the corresponding bead 98 on the sleeve 96.

Typically the can 30 may be a number 10 size, and after the can isopened, the lid 62, previously assem' bled on the backup plate 90, isinstalled over the open top of the can, The can is subsequently invertedon the platform 32. The lid is preferably sized so that there is aninterference between the skirt 66 of the lid and the can, Theinterference fit and the rolled bead 61 on the can prevent leakage ofthe contents when the can is inverted. By utilizing an clastomericmaterial for the lid it is possible to make the lid slightly smallerthan the can diameter, thus requiring the lid to be stretched over thecan.

The metal backup plate 90 serves a dual purpose, namely, it prevents thelid from distorting during mounting of the can on the dispenser, and itprevents the lid from distorting due to the external atmosphericpressure applied to the can during dispense cycles when syrup is drawnfrom the can by the dispenser pump.

In operation, the nipples 70 and perform two separate but interrelatedfunctions. By making the slits 78 and 88 sharp and cleanly definedslices, without removing material. thin hair-line size slits are formedwhich will close by elastomeric memory once the slitting knife or toolused to form it is removed. Thus, each nipple serves as a check valvewhich will not leak liquid during normal gravity head conditions.

The nipple 70 serves as a unidirectional flow check valve in the syrupinlet to the pump. During a pump suction cycle, the partial vacuum isdrawn on the syrup system which causes the syrup check or nipple 70 toopen due to the influence of the pressure difference across the taperedportion 74. Since the pump is double acting, that is, it both pumps andrefills by vacuum draw. during the dispense cycle the pressure in thesyrup circuit causes the nipple 70 to close tightly. During the refillcycle a partial vacuum is drawn on the system within the housing 102about the cone-shaped end 74 and thus the slit 78 opens allowing syrupto flow out of the can into the syrup circuit. That is, when the piston40 moves down, it draws syrup from the can into cylinder 36, and when itrises, the pump discharges the cylinder contents in the direction ofcontrol assembly 22 as described more fully in our copendingapplication, supra.

Each time the syrup is removed from the can 30, a partial vacuumdevelops in the can causing the nipple 80 to open and thus bleed airinto the can to relieve the vacuum. Thus it is seen that the two nippleskeep the system in pressure equilibrium during the dispensing cycle.

The backup plate 90, particularly with its sleeve 96 for the nipple 70,prevents the nipple from collapsing when it is inserted in the checkhousing 102 on the platform 32. The bead 98 on the sleeve 96 forms thecorresponding bead on the nipple 70 which in turn serves as an O-ringwhen the can is mounted in place. The O-ring forms a seal against theseat 106 on the inner surface of the housing 102 to prevent leakage. Thebead also holds the lid with the can on the machine. When the can isnearly empty, pressure within the housing 102 could blow the can withthe lid ofi" the machine in the absence of some positive engagement ofthe nipple in the housing. The bead and seat also serve to offer apositive seated position for the syrup can, much the same as a detent.and a positive feel results when the can is properly positioned with thenipple 70 in the housing 102.

While in the system described, the syrup is drawn from the can 30 by theapplication of a vacuum in the chamber I03 of housing 102 about thenipple which in turn causes a pressure differential between the externalpressure on the nipple 70 and the pressure within the can 30, it is tobe understood that syrup could be forced from the can 30 by applying apositive pressure in the can in place of or in addition to the vacuumwithin the chamber 103 of housing 102. Such an arrangement is suggestedin FIG. 3. In that figure. it will be noted that a duct 110 is suggestedas being inserted in the cylindrical portion 82 of the nipple 80, andthe duct 1 in turn is connected to a positive pressure pump 112. In suchan arrangement, actuation of the pump 112 pressurizes the interior ofthe can above the chocolate and forces the chocolate out the nipple 70.Thus it will be appreciated that while the pump 38 forms a suction toreduce the pressure on the outside of the nipple 70 within chamber 103of housing 102, as an alternative or as a supplement, a pump could beused to create excess pressure in the can to discharge syrup. The diffenential pressure between that in the can and within the housing 102 aboutthe nipple 70 is what causes the nip ple 70 to open. The head of theliquid in the can itself is not sufficient to open the nipple.

The arrangement described has many advantages. For example, the nipple80 in the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 serves as a continuous air ventcheck to maintain the inside of the can at pressure equilibrium. Assyrup is drawn from the can, the partial vacuum created is relieved byair which bleeds through the nipple 80. By locating the nipple 80 remotefrom the nipple 70, the possibility of entraining air from the nipple 80to the nipple 70 as syrup is being withdrawn during the pump cycle iseliminated.

A very important advantage of this system is the protection of thecontents during storage as well as use. Canned products in general arethermally processed to inactivate enzymes and bacteria. Thus the cannedcontents are virtually sterile. But when the can is open, some othermeans must be provided to protect the canned contents if the life of thecontents is to be prolonged. It is apparent that the sealed closuredefined by the lid 62 serves to preserve the taste, odor, and generalconsistency of the syrup, with no skin-over. Although air is admitted tothe can as syrup is drawn off, the volatile components of the syrup aretrapped within the can so as to establish an equilibrium of liquidvapor, and minimize if not eliminate degradation of the contents.

As yet another desirable feature of this invention, when the use rate ofthe syrup is low, during overnight or weekend periods, the can 30 withthe lid attached may be simply lifted from the machine and placed in arefrigerated storage compartment. This is particularly desirable whenthe syrups include dairy products such as cream in them.

In our copending application supra, the ease with which a system may becleaned has been described. It is apparent that in the presentapplication cleaning may be achieved just as readily merely by replacingthe can 30 of syrup with a can of cleaning solution.

As yet another advantage of this invention, the lid serves to seal inthe essential ingredients of the syrup in the can. Chocolate syrups dovary considerably from one manufacturer to another due at least in partto the desire of the manufacturers to achieve a flavor unique to theirown products. The uniqueness in flavor is due in part to the flavor andodor producing ingredients in the syrup. And they are normallyadditives. To maintain these additives in intimate contact with theproduct during the entire time of use so as to in turn achieve a moreconsistent drink from the first to the last serving, the sealed coverfor the can is necessary. and such sealing is achieved with thisinvention. The seal is achieved by means of the lid 62 even when the canis bent. The elastomeric material of the lid conforms to can distortionand seals against a relatively uneven or rough can surface.

While in the foregoing description the system for dispensing the cancontents has been described in connection with a beverage dispenser. itis to be appreciated that the same combination of can and lid withbackup plate and pump could be used to dispense other liquid products inthe food line. For example. preserves and jellies could readily bedispensed from a can with this arrangement. The pressure differential onthe dispensing nipple may be achieved either by pressurizing the can orby creating a vacuum about the nipple.

Having described this invention in detail, we claim:

1. A liquid dispensing system adapted to draw liquid contents from adisposable container open at a rim at one end comprising a lid having aclosure wall and having a skirt made of a flexible material designed tofit over the open end of the container and form a seal about the opencontainer end.

a nipple connected to the closure wall and extending from the wall awayfrom the container, said nipple being normally closed and remainingclosed under the head of the liquid in the container when the containeris oriented with its open end facing down,

a rigid backup plate disposed against the closure wall of the lid andadapted to lie over the rim of the open end of the container when thelid is mounted on said container so as to prevent inward movement ofsaid closure wall,

said nipple carrying means for connecting the nipple to a duct forconveying the liquid to a desired location.

2. A system as defined in claim I further characterized by venting meansforming part of the lid for venting the container.

3. In combination with the system of claim 2,

pump means connected to one of the nipple and venting means for creatinga differential pressure between the interior of the container and theoutside of the nipple causing the nipple to open and liquid to flowthrough it.

4. In the combination of claim 3,

said venting means being a second nipple connected to the closure walland extending into the container and through the backup plate and beingexposed to the atmosphere, said second nipple being normally closed andopening when the pressure within the container reaches a preselectedvalue below atmospheric so as to allow air to enter the container.

5. In the combination of claim 3,

said pump means being a vacuum pump connected to said first-mentionednipple for reducing the pressure about the outside of the nipple.

6. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 1 furthercharacterized by a sleeve forming part of the backup plate and extendinginto the nipple for supporting it,

a bead formed on the sleeve and forming a corresponding bead on thenipple when the plate is assembled with the sleeve in the nipple,

a fitting for receiving the nipple and forming a seal with its outersurface. said fitting being capable of connecting the nipple to a ductfor conveying the liquid to a desired location,

and a seal in the inside of the fitting for gripping the bead on thenipple when the container is mounted with the nipple in the fitting.

7. A liquid dispensing system comprising a cylindrical drum forcontaining liquids, open at one end and closed at the other,

a lid having a closure wall extending over the open end and having askirt engaging the cylindrical wall of said drum, said lid sealing theopen end closed,

a nipple extending outwardly from the closure wall of the lid and havinga closure biased to a closed position when the atmospheric pressurewithin the drum and outside the closure are equal and maintaining itsclosed position under the head ofa liquid in the container when the drumis oriented with the lid down,

pump means secured to the lid for creating a greater pressure in thedrum than outside the closure causing flow of the liquid from the drumthrough the nipple,

a means comprising a unidirectional flow valve for communicating withthe interior of said drum to permit simultaneous adjustment of pressurein said drum when said pump means is operative to cause flow throughsaid nipple,

said lid being made of flexible rubber-like material and said nipplebeing formed as an integral part thereof,

and a rigid plate disposed against the closure wall of the lid andoperatively engaging the open end of the drum.

8. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 7 furthercharacterized by a sleeve connected to the plate and extending into thenipple,

said nipple having converging sides and a slit at the end which formsthe closure.

9. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 7 furthercharacterized by said means comprising a unidirectional flow valve beingformed on the lid for allowing air to bleed into the drum when itsinternal pressure is less than atmospheric.

10. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 9 furthercharacterized by a fitting receiving the nipple internally with the drumin an inverted position and with the lid down,

and said pump means including a suction pump secured to the fitting andreducing the pressure outside the closure to open it.

11. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 9 furthercharacterized by said means comprising a unidirectional flow valvecomprising a second nipple formed as part of the lid and extending intothe drum.

l2. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 11 furthercharacterized by said pump means being connected to the second nipplefor pressurizing the interior of the drum.

13. A beverage dispenser comprising,

a housing,

a container for carrying liquid flavor syrup, said container having oneopen end and a closed end,

means for mounting said container on said housing,

a lid having a closure wall extending over the opened end and having askirt engaging the wall of said container,

said lid sealing the opened end closed and being removable from saidcontainer,

a check valve extending outwardly from the closure wall of the lid andhaving a closure in a closed position when the atmospheric pressurewithin the container and outside the closure are equal and maintainingits closed position under the head of syrup in the container when thecontainer is oriented with the lid facing down,

electrically operated pump means interconnected with the lid forcreating a greater pressure in the container than outside the closurecausing flow of the liquid from the container through the check valve,

and means comprising a unidirectional flow valve for communicating withthe interior of said container to permit simultaneous adjustment ofpressure in said container when said pump means is operative to causeflow through said check valve.

14. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 13 and furthercomprising said check valve comprising a nipple having a closure biasedto said closed position,

said pump means comprising a duct and suction a discharge nozzle fordispensing a beverage connected to the duct,

and a fitting on the housing for receiving the nipple in sealedrelationship when the container is mounted on the housing.

1. A liquid dispensing system adapted to draw liquid contents from a disposable container open at a rim at one end comprising a lid having a closure wall and having a skirt made of a flexible material designed to fit over the open end of the container and form a seal about the open container end, a nipple connected to the closure wall and extending from the wall away from the container, said nipPle being normally closed and remaining closed under the head of the liquid in the container when the container is oriented with its open end facing down, a rigid backup plate disposed against the closure wall of the lid and adapted to lie over the rim of the open end of the container when the lid is mounted on said container so as to prevent inward movement of said closure wall, said nipple carrying means for connecting the nipple to a duct for conveying the liquid to a desired location.
 2. A system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by venting means forming part of the lid for venting the container.
 3. In combination with the system of claim 2, pump means connected to one of the nipple and venting means for creating a differential pressure between the interior of the container and the outside of the nipple causing the nipple to open and liquid to flow through it.
 4. In the combination of claim 3, said venting means being a second nipple connected to the closure wall and extending into the container and through the backup plate and being exposed to the atmosphere, said second nipple being normally closed and opening when the pressure within the container reaches a preselected value below atmospheric so as to allow air to enter the container.
 5. In the combination of claim 3, said pump means being a vacuum pump connected to said first-mentioned nipple for reducing the pressure about the outside of the nipple.
 6. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 1 further characterized by a sleeve forming part of the backup plate and extending into the nipple for supporting it, a bead formed on the sleeve and forming a corresponding bead on the nipple when the plate is assembled with the sleeve in the nipple, a fitting for receiving the nipple and forming a seal with its outer surface, said fitting being capable of connecting the nipple to a duct for conveying the liquid to a desired location, and a seal in the inside of the fitting for gripping the bead on the nipple when the container is mounted with the nipple in the fitting.
 7. A liquid dispensing system comprising a cylindrical drum for containing liquids, open at one end and closed at the other, a lid having a closure wall extending over the open end and having a skirt engaging the cylindrical wall of said drum, said lid sealing the open end closed, a nipple extending outwardly from the closure wall of the lid and having a closure biased to a closed position when the atmospheric pressure within the drum and outside the closure are equal and maintaining its closed position under the head of a liquid in the container when the drum is oriented with the lid down, pump means secured to the lid for creating a greater pressure in the drum than outside the closure causing flow of the liquid from the drum through the nipple, a means comprising a unidirectional flow valve for communicating with the interior of said drum to permit simultaneous adjustment of pressure in said drum when said pump means is operative to cause flow through said nipple, said lid being made of flexible rubber-like material and said nipple being formed as an integral part thereof, and a rigid plate disposed against the closure wall of the lid and operatively engaging the open end of the drum.
 8. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 7 further characterized by a sleeve connected to the plate and extending into the nipple, said nipple having converging sides and a slit at the end which forms the closure.
 9. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 7 further characterized by said means comprising a unidirectional flow valve being formed on the lid for allowing air to bleed into the drum when its internal pressure is less than atmospheric.
 10. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 9 further characterized by a fitting receiving the nipple internally with the drum in an inverted position and with the lid down, and said pump means including a suction pump secured to the fitting and reducing the pressure outside the closure to open it.
 11. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 9 further characterized by said means comprising a unidirectional flow valve comprising a second nipple formed as part of the lid and extending into the drum.
 12. A liquid dispensing system as described in claim 11 further characterized by said pump means being connected to the second nipple for pressurizing the interior of the drum.
 13. A beverage dispenser comprising, a housing, a container for carrying liquid flavor syrup, said container having one open end and a closed end, means for mounting said container on said housing, a lid having a closure wall extending over the opened end and having a skirt engaging the wall of said container, said lid sealing the opened end closed and being removable from said container, a check valve extending outwardly from the closure wall of the lid and having a closure in a closed position when the atmospheric pressure within the container and outside the closure are equal and maintaining its closed position under the head of syrup in the container when the container is oriented with the lid facing down, electrically operated pump means interconnected with the lid for creating a greater pressure in the container than outside the closure causing flow of the liquid from the container through the check valve, and means comprising a unidirectional flow valve for communicating with the interior of said container to permit simultaneous adjustment of pressure in said container when said pump means is operative to cause flow through said check valve.
 14. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 13 and further comprising said check valve comprising a nipple having a closure biased to said closed position, said pump means comprising a duct and suction pump, a discharge nozzle for dispensing a beverage connected to the duct, and a fitting on the housing for receiving the nipple in sealed relationship when the container is mounted on the housing. 